There are 4 ways to get from Mackay to Cairns City by plane, train, bus (Greyhound), or car
Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner.
Fly
best- Fly from Mackay (MKY) to Cairns (CNS)plane MKY - CNS
4h 20m$260–550Train
cheapest- Take the train from Mackay to Cairns Central Stationtrain Spirit of Queensland
11h 27m$80–2,652Bus
- Take the bus from Mackay to Cairnsbus Au050 / ...
11h 56m$95–270Drive 731.4 km
- Drive from Mackay to Cairns Citycar 731.4 km
8h 43m$132–190
Mackay to Cairns City by train
Questions & Answers
The cheapest way to get from Mackay to Cairns City is to drive which costs $130 - $190 and takes 8h 43m.
The fastest way to get from Mackay to Cairns City is to fly which takes 4h 20m and costs $260 - $550.
Yes, there is a direct bus departing from Mackay and arriving at Cairns. Services depart twice daily, and operate every day. The journey takes approximately 11h 56m.
Yes, there is a direct train departing from Mackay and arriving at Cairns Central Station station. Services depart four times a week, and operate Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. The journey takes approximately 11h 27m.
The distance between Mackay and Cairns City is 607 km. The road distance is 731.4 km.
The best way to get from Mackay to Cairns City without a car is to train which takes 11h 27m and costs $80 - $2,700.
It takes approximately 4h 20m to get from Mackay to Cairns City, including transfers.
Mackay to Cairns City bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, depart from Mackay station.
Mackay to Cairns City train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, depart from Mackay station.
The best way to get from Mackay to Cairns City is to fly which takes 4h 20m and costs $260 - $550. Alternatively, you can train, which costs $80 - $2,700 and takes 11h 27m, you could also bus, which costs $95 - $270 and takes 11h 56m.
What companies run services between Mackay, QLD, Australia and Cairns City, QLD, Australia?
Qantas, Virgin Australia, and Jetstar fly from Mackay (MKY) to Cairns (CNS) every 4 hours. Alternatively, Queensland Rail Travel operates a train from Mackay to Cairns Central Station 4 times a week. Tickets cost $80–2,652 and the journey takes 11h 27m.
- Website
- qantas.com
Flights from Mackay to Cairns via Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 3h 28m
- When
- Sunday, Friday, Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday
- Estimated price
- $400–650
Flights from Mackay to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 6h
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $380–1,100
Flights from Mackay to Cairns via Brisbane, Townsville
- Ave. Duration
- 6h 50m
- When
- Wednesday and Thursday
- Estimated price
- $400–650
- Website
- virginaustralia.com
Flights from Mackay to Cairns via Brisbane
- Ave. Duration
- 5h 20m
- When
- Every day
- Estimated price
- $260–390
- Phone
- 1800 872 467
- Website
- queenslandrailtravel.com.au
Train from Mackay to Cairns Central Station
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 27m
- Frequency
- 4 times a week
- Estimated price
- $80–2,652
- Book at
- https://queenslandrailtravel-booking.opendestinations.com/BookingSite/rail/search
- Website
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.queenslandrailtravel.com.au/Pages/Timetable.aspx
- BQuick
- $80–120
- AChoice
- $130–170
- Gold Class
- $2,118
- Heritage Class
- $2,652
- Website
- https://www.flixbus.com.au/
Bus from Mackay to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 11h 56m
- Frequency
- Twice daily
- Estimated price
- $110–190
- Schedules at
- flixbus.com.au
- Phone
- 1300 473946
- [email protected]
- Website
- greyhound.com.au
Bus from Mackay to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $120–270
- Website
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/
- Schedules at
- https://www.greyhound.com.au/timetables
- Early Bird
- $120–180
- Advantage
- $140–220
- Flexible
- $180–270
- Phone
- 13 34 10
- [email protected]
- Website
- premierms.com.au
Bus from Mackay to Cairns
- Ave. Duration
- 12h 10m
- Frequency
- Once daily
- Estimated price
- $95–140
- Website
- https://premierms.com.au/
Want to know more about travelling around Australia
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Read the travel guideMore Questions & Answers
Mackay to Cairns City bus services, operated by FlixBus Australia, arrive at Cairns station.
Mackay to Cairns City train services, operated by Queensland Rail Travel, arrive at Cairns Central Station.
Yes, the driving distance between Mackay to Cairns City is 731 km. It takes approximately 8h 43m to drive from Mackay to Cairns City.
Book your Mackay to Cairns City train tickets online with 12go.asia.
Book your Mackay to Cairns City bus tickets online with Omio and 12go.asia.
There are 1004+ hotels available in Cairns City.